You report that chief executives are uneasy about their role under a system of elected mayors (Clash of the titans, October 11).

One can understand the unease when you know the pivotal position these unelected officers have enjoyed for so long; in many cases they are the major decision-makers, and not the politicians, and consequently are not held responsible by the public. In the changed town hall environment, their role will be advisory, along the lines, as David Clark intimates, of a Whitehall permanent secretary.

Elected mayors have been a feature of local government life in many parts of the world. I was surprised that no reference was made to the role of a senior officer in the administration of an elected mayor. Perhaps the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives could find consolation in the way the elected mayoral system operates in other countries.

Tom Jackson Stockport

Inspiration to us all

I found the article about the London mental health campaign interesting, and I felt inspired reading about Mohammed Mujahid's incredible dedication (The end of the line, October 11).

I am a children and families social worker and often return home tired, stressed and fairly deflated, having spent my working day seemingly taking one step forwards and at least three back. Good mental health is something I know is important not only for the families I work with, but also for myself and my colleagues, yet it gets overlooked as the demands of the job take over and people become less willing to give up more time for others.

Mujahid makes it seem so simple, so straightforward and so satisfying, and yet he clearly puts an enormous amount of time and effort into enabling others to maintain good mental health. His positive attitude reminded me why I chose this profession in the first place and made me realise I should try to take more notice of the times when I gain something from the work I do, as well as it helping other people.

Cintha Archer Berkshire

Pheasant shoot is no sport

Following the article about pheasant shooting in mid-Wales (Feathers are flying, October 4), I offer my own account as one of the residents concerned. As a witness to the mass shooting of specially-bred game birds on Cwm mountain, I am now altogether against this activity.

One Saturday, a group of us found ourselves in the middle of mass gunfire while walking on a public footpath near our homes. The shooters, standing directly on the path, broke what I believe to be the laws of safety - and common sense. My wife, myself and others were deeply upset, intimidated and enraged, feeling ourselves to be physically endangered.

Birds were reduced to pathetic bundles of feathers, crying, maimed and struggling on the ground. Later, they were gathered by the gamekeeper, still struggling, with no merciful dispatch to end their suffering. Where is the clean sporting kill professed to be the aim?

The shooters were grim, stony-faced men, too intent on their "sport" to care for us mere locals, or our safety. Any belief that this is sport as we know it, far less that there is any honour of a skilled hunt - forget it!

David Price Cwm-Nant-y-Meichiaid, Powys

Abandoned cause

I have just had to close a charity project which over six years enabled 839 homeless, unemployed people from this small city to take up tenancies. We have closed because no one will continue to give us core funding - not the government, the National Lottery Charities Board (NLCB), major charities, nor the local council.

Our clients were no one's priority when we housed them, but had we not done so, they would most likely have resorted to crime or sunk into depression, and the costs of rescuing or coping with them in prison, or on the NHS, would have been many times what it cost us.

Timothy Hornsby, NLCB chief executive, is wrong to say that the government cannot take on long-term commitments. The people we are now failing will be a very long term and expensive problem, as well as a blot on our consciences.

Richard Hilken

former chair, Exeter Homes Committee, Exeter

Rightful place

The Rev Bill Lynn, pastoral director of NCH Action for Children, is far more than "a nod to its Methodist roots" (Purse strings, October 11). I am sure Tony Manwaring, NCH's director of external affairs, would not have used such a phrase.

The Methodist churches still actively support and fundraise for NCH, as well as raising awareness of the work of the charity in the community. Both the corporate and community sections are important in charities such as NCH.

Sybil Handley Marple, Cheshire

How to lip read

Alan Watling's letter about ambidexterity (Letters, October 11) struck a chord with me.

Some time ago, when I noticed how some of my older friends had started to lose their hearing, I began to wonder if it would be useful to start to learn to lip read before I reached that state myself. Does anyone know of a suitable learning method? I was told there is a video-based self-teach pack, but have not been able to get further details.

Jules Hurry London

Rare delicacy

I notice in the item Walky, porky? (Front to back, October 11) that somebody has discovered a source for that rare delicacy - goats' eggs. I think he or she should share this information with the world.